Sky High Careers

Yes, yes, the rumors are true! You can see the world and get paid for it! This can indeed be a glamorous job being able to cut to the front of the security line; get picked up at the airport in a car that is waiting just for you and take you to your layover! You can look forward to airline crew discounts and shopping for the most innovative luggage. You will love being able to hop on a plane to who-knows-where on your days off for a quickie vacation. You will love the travel benefits and the fact that you can be creative with your schedule; you will love socializing with other Flight Attendants, meeting new people from all over the world and from all walks of life; having the time to read, and spending a quiet evening in a quiet hotel room with room service! You will suddenly become entirely fascinating to others as you relate stories from your career. And, best of all, when you’re home, you’re home. This job seems to attract a certain personality, and no doubt you’ve got it or you wouldn’t be reading this! But, to understand how to get into the profession of a Flight Attendant, one must also come to understand the Flight Attendant’s world. A Flight Attendant’s career is laced with interesting and often amazing experiences. It presents a unique lifestyle mostly unknown to those who are outside the industry, but it definitely satisfies the inner adventurer! Flight Attendants are people people. Our job is foremost about safety, but it is ultimately about customer service. In this job you may, at times, find people everywhere you turn (and usually people with needs and demands) and you will have nowhere to hide – except perhaps the lavatory! Ok, so that is a slight exaggeration, but hopefully if you are planning to apply, you like people. Flight Attendants are versatile. Each position occupied by a Flight Attendant on each different aircraft type has a specific duty. You will be assigned to all of them at some point in time and it is very important to know your duties and carry your load of the work. Flight Attendants have an unspoken motto: No one’s done ‘til everyone’s done. All of this requires both teamwork as well as good leadership. Flexibility is a huge part of this job. Not only must Flight Attendants be flexible in their scheduling, but also in their attitudes. It is unusual, though not uncommon, for your trip assignment to change while you are in the middle of it. This can cause some frustration, especially if you’ve made plans for the layover on your original schedule. However, airlines expect you to be professional at all times, and carry on with a good attitude. You will experience conflicts of all sorts in this job, whether it be with passengers, crewmembers, other company employees, hotel personnel, or even a stranger you meet on the street. You will meet all walks of life during your airline career and most likely during the course of one day! Giving and taking directions are an everyday requirement and Flight Attendants must have the skills to manage conflicts, without becoming defensive or aggressive themselves. To become a Flight Attendant there are a few basics you will need to have: a high school diploma or other equivalent, height ranging from 5’0” – 6’4”, vision correctable to at least 20/40, minimum age of 18-21 (depending on the airline) – there is no maximum age, however! And the ability to pass a background check, or at the very least the ability to explain any misdemeanors. Men and women of all ages and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. After these basic requirements are met, the ideal Flight Attendant candidate is someone who possesses the eight Flight Attendant qualities of customer service. Do you have these proven qualities?